“He's not living here,” said Arevalo, who's seeking copies of city utility bills for the Leissner Avenue home to determine water usage there.

Quittner has asked the Texas attorney general's office for direction on whether to release the bills, which Faseler wants kept confidential.

Citing security concerns, Faseler won't say how often he sleeps at the Leissner Avenue home. One neighbor estimated the house is occupied overnight only once a month. Another reported seeing someone there daily, but couldn't say if it's Faseler.

“He's an excellent city manager,” she said. “We hope to have him a long time.”

Faseler, whose base pay is $170,000, was obliged to take up residence here within four months of being hired in 2006 under the terms of the City Charter and his contract. His contract also requires him to “maintain a residence” here.

The residency issue also was raised four years ago, and the council sought its then-attorney's opinion, which was not available this week.

“The city attorney said I'm complying fully with the City Charter and contract,” Faseler said.

“It was clearly understood when I was hired that I wasn't going to relocate my entire family here,” he said.

Councilman Carlos Medrano said he's checked the Leissner Avenue home in recent weeks and is satisfied that Faseler is staying there most nights. “I just look to see if there's lights and his truck's there,” he said.